- Farewell to Muirheads - exploring youtube, I came across this as Ian Mackay shows off his new Pariselle box; it's a bagpipe tune written by Robert Wallace, and it's really, really nice. First tune in the set. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4N4x-bimWs

- Mazurka des Tuileries - after a quick search to find something 'continental' to add a bit of variety to the list, I found this on Jack's channel. Written by Maarten Decombel, a nice tune I'd really quite like to learn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IozYjDqeVf8

Thanks Clive, for promoting my first ever video. Further down the youtube details there are links which may help (I'm playing a CF box so my DG-speak "A minor" fingering sounds like G minor, of course)

Niel Gow made the tune Farewell to Whisky. Robert Wallace obviously decided to narrow the field down a bit. Muirheads was (is?) very much an Edinburgh Whiskey....in my experience available mainly from licenced grocers in Pilton and Leith, and usually sold in quarter bottles.

In the mid 80's I escaped from post-academia unemployment via a few months as a semi-skilled engineering worker in a sheet metal shop next to a dog food factory in Leith. The birth of my first born was celebrated at clock out time with a half bottle of the stuff. Which did at least disinfect the canteen mugs.

I am almost tempted to vote for the tune for nostalgic reasons....the risk being that if it doesn't win I will feel obliged to have a shot at the one that does....which may not end well.

In reply to Mcgrgroogers comments I can only give a personal answer. Yes I do normally vote in ToM but do not submit any performances, the reason is generally speaking I play to a low standard for my own enjoyment. I vote for particular tunes in an attempt to "push" the experts (Mcgroover included) into giving their renditions of the tunes I personally like, I then, sometimes many times over watch in awe their vidios and try to emulate the skill they show. I can only say a Thank You to those that do post performances and hope they get as much satisfaction in performing and making their vidios as I do in watching them. This of course is only my personal view, other non performing voters may well have others.

And that is exactly what makes this forum so Great! The musical tastes are so varied that it never gets boring. I love coming to the forum each day to see what members have suggested that we listen to or possibly learn in the future. It inspires me to expand my tastes and add to the "Future tunes to Learn" list. Even if the winning TOTM isn't my favorite choice, I might be inspired by one of the runners up. I might even be inspired by the winning tune once I hear other members perform their rendition. So Viva La TOTM for it's diversity.

And I echo what Grumpy posted about making recorded contributions. Out of 3000 plus members I believe that probably 5% or less members feel accomplished enough to display their rendition. It does not mean that they don't enjoy the whole process. So yes, I will continue to vote for my favorite TOTM and thoroughly enjoy the brave, talented souls that display their versions for all to appreciate.

I totally agree with this. There have been many times since TOTM began that I have been disappointed with the chosen tune (never the Theme as that offers infinate oportunies to play something that takes your fancy) only to find at least one contribution that suddenly turns me on to a tune that never really did it for me. I avidly watch/listen to every contribution and I've been rewarded so many times that there is rarely a choice that leaves me as unmoved by a tune as before. I'd love to contribute but I become a jibbering wreck the moment the red light goes on (figuratively speaking), which is quite funny really as I spent so many years 'doing the clubs' and recording for BBC local radio without a qualm albeit as a guitarist/singer rather than a box player.

I too vote in order to hear a variety of approaches to a tune. If the only people who voted for TOTM were those who actually contributed I think the concept would be diminished. If there is a strong feeling that voting should be limited to those that contribute recordings, I will cease to vote in future, no problem.

And I echo what Grumpy posted about making recorded contributions. Out of 3000 plus members I believe that probably 5% or less members feel accomplished enough to display their rendition. It does not mean that they don't enjoy the whole process. So yes, I will continue to vote for my favorite TOTM and thoroughly enjoy the brave, talented souls that display their versions for all to appreciate.

Ken

I would like to think that anyone could post their rendition of the TOTM, not just the brave and talented souls. Obviously as a new boy I could be wrong but personally I would be willing to give it a shot even if it does sound like a dogs dinner. I don't really know what's expected from this thread. If it's talented souls then I will count myself out. If it's a free for all then I'm in...

Logged

Graham Wood - Third Planet from The SunHohner Morgane B/C, Junior Martin 1 Row in 'D' with knobs on top

I too vote in order to hear a variety of approaches to a tune. If the only people who voted for TOTM were those who actually contributed I think the concept would be diminished. If there is a strong feeling that voting should be limited to those that contribute recordings, I will cease to vote in future, no problem.

I'm sure that no-one would want that. I think any valid reason for voting for a tune (to hear others, to work on it but not to record etc.) is, well, valid. On the other hand I'd encourage anyone who wants to, to record and share even if it's only to build experience at it. It is a safe environment. I'd make it unlisted to avoid random hurtful comments from the wider public, but have a go. I never think my versions are anything other than prosaic, but I'm ok with that for now.